6 Advantages of Flatbed Printers

6 Advantages of Flatbed Printers

9th November 2017

Flatbed printers are commonly used in a variety of industries, and they make everything from signs and banners to bench backs and custom panels. However, while these printers have been in use for some time, they are not universally used. With that said, if you’re trying to decide whether to use a flatbed printer for your digital printing needs, or one of the other available models, here are some of the points flatbeds have in their favor.

Advantage #1: Print On Almost Anything

One of the major advantages of flatbed printing is that it will print on a wide variety of materials. While traditional paper is an option (and works just fine for things like posters), flatbed printers can adjust to fit materials as wide as several inches. This makes them ideal for a wider variety of projects, and particularly for signage that needs to be tough enough to withstand regular use, transport, etc.

Advantage #2: No Screens Necessary

Screen printing has been one of the most common forms of commercial printing for years, and for good reason. However, when you need to create a print plate, or a silkscreen, the only way to make a project economically (and profitably) is to print it in bulk. However, not everyone who wants to commission a print run needs thousands of items… sometimes they only need a few hundred. Or a few dozen.

That’s where flatbed printers gain a distinct advantage. Since they’re digital, and don’t work from a pre-made design, it’s possible to make affordable, shorter-run prints, without losing the capacity to make runs in larger numbers. This flexibility is ideal for those who want to have freedom to print as many, or as few, items as they need.

Advantage #3: Less Waste

Flatbed printers are both more economical, and more environmentally friendly, than solvent printing. They produce fewer waste containers, and because of how they’re set up, they actually produce less indoor air pollution. This makes them safer to be around for workers, and it makes the model they use more sustainable for long-term use. This makes them quite a good investment for companies looking at the long-term cost of what their choice of printing will be.

Advantage #4: One Job, Multiple Colors

Flatbed printers are capable of completing a complicated, multi-colored print job in a single go. This is different from older forms of printing, which may have taken multiple layers to create a finished product. Given the advances in digital printing, though, flatbed printers can now handle the entirety of a single image at once, instead of taking several steps to create each finished product. Ask about Stratojet’s simultaneous CMYK and White printing.

Advantage #5: Control

Flatbed printers offer you control over nearly every aspect of the printing job. You can choose which file formats to use, the resolution, and you can even detail the color control you want to use on this particular project. Don’t depend on outsourcing timelines and quality control; by keeping the production in-house, you can differentiate by fast, even same day delivery.

Advantage #6: Ease of Use

Older forms of printing can take a great deal of time and effort to master. However, flatbed printers are designed to be both simple, and user-friendly. Often all it takes is half an hour, as well as some reading, to be able to use the printer effectively. With that kind of ease of mastery, there are also fewer defective products made, as newer users don’t have to go through so much trial and error.

These are, of course, just a few of the advantages one gains by opting for flatbed printers over other devices or methods on the market. For more information about flatbed printing, and to talk to experts who can answer your questions about whether it’s the right choice for you, simply contact us today!